01
Beginnings
Okemah
The first stage
Raised in Okemah, Oklahoma, John found performance early through school productions, music, and a persistent desire to work in television.
03 / About
A creative life in motion.
Raised in Okemah. Shaped by music. Tested in New York. Trained in Los Angeles. Still working from Tulsa. John’s career has never followed a straight line—and every turn added something to the performer.
The desire was there early: to tell stories, write songs, and be on your television every week.
John grew up in Okemah, Oklahoma, one of six children in a family rooted in service. Music, school theatre, and the old Crystal Theater gave him his first language for performance. He organized an early 4-H musical piece, played Christopher Robin in high school, and kept reaching toward something larger.
At Oklahoma Baptist University, his interests expanded across music, drama, and art. Nashville brought songwriting, music-business study at Belmont, studio work, publishing, and the practical education of an artist learning how a creative life is sustained.
New York brought serious film and television training—and the unexpected first-movie experience of working on Robert Redford’s Quiz Show. The Footloose workshop and vocal study kept music and theatre moving beside the camera.
Los Angeles deepened the craft through Playhouse West, the Meisner Technique, Actors Co-op, film, commercials, and a decade of stage work. Tulsa is not an ending. It is the present chapter: film, television, music, and live performance continuing from home.
Six places / One line
The road through the work.
02
Study
Shawnee
Music, drama, and art
At Oklahoma Baptist University, his studies crossed composition, drama, visual art, and live performance—the beginning of a multidisciplinary creative life.
03
Songwriting
Nashville
Learning the business of songs
Music-business study at Belmont, studio work, publishing, performing, and songwriting placed craft and commerce in the same room.
04
Screen + stage
New York
A headshot opens a door
Film and television training led to Quiz Show under Robert Redford, while vocal study and the Footloose workshop kept the stage within reach.
05
Technique
Los Angeles
A decade of deeper work
At Playhouse West and Actors Co-op, John developed his Meisner work, earned his SAG card, and performed in film, commercials, and theatre.
06
The continuing chapter
Tulsa
Returning with range
Tulsa became home base for continuing film, television, theatre, music, and new work—including Andrew Carnes in TPAC Produces’ Oklahoma!
What holds it togetherCharacter. Craft. Music. Faith. The honest moment—and the willingness to begin again.